Ornamental knob or end piece for cords



No. 626, 374. Patenfed 'l'unefi, I899;

' B. J. FISHER.

URNAMENTAL KNOB UR END PIECE FOR CORDS, LINES, LACES, 81.6.

(Application filed Apr. 16, 1898.) -N0 Model.)

WITNESSES INVENTOI? PETERS o0 PHOYO-LITHD.WASHINGTON u r Unirn STATES PATENT O FFICE.

BASIL JOHN FISHER, OF ASHBOROUGII, NORTH CAROLINA.

ORNAMENTAL KNOB OR END PIECE FOR CORDS, LINES, LACES, 8m.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 626,374, dated June 6, 1899.

Application filed April 16, 1898- Serial No. 677,888. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it 77mg concern;

Be it known that I, BASIL JOHN FISHER, a

subject of the Queen of Great Britain, resid in g at Ashborough, in the county of Randolph and State of North Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ornamental Knobs or End Pieces for Cords, Lines, Laces, and Similar Devices, of which the following is a fulland complete specification, such as will enable those skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

'Ihisinvention relates to that class of devices which are generally known as ornamental knobs or end pieces for cords, lines, laces, and similar articles, The purpose of such knobs or end pieces is not simply that of acting to ornament the line to which they are attached, but rather to form a pendant or distinct and visible means to facilitate grasping the end of the line to pull upon the same. These knobs or end pieces have also the purpose of concealing the free end of the line or lace, and must therefore be of a generally ornamental character.

The object of myinvention is to produce a device which will possess a degree of superiority in both of these respects.

My invention consists in a rigid and preferably metallic strip stamped into the form of a knob or hollow spherical body adapted to surround the knot which is usually tied in the line or lace to which devices of this character are attached, the remainder of the said metallic strip forming at the end of the knob a tubular body or extension which surrounds the line above said knot and forming at the bottom of said knob a conical or outwardlydirected body or extension.

My invention is particularly adapted for use in connection with the ends of shoe-laces and the ends of the cords of window-shades, but may be employed in any analogous con nection.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawings form a part, in which- Figure 1 is a side view of the end of a cord provided with my improved ornamental knob connecting the cord therewith, and Fig. 3 a view opposite to that of Fig. 1.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, and in which the separate parts of my invention are designated by the same reference-numerals in each of the views, I have shown a shortpiece of cord 5 representing a where the edges of the metal join, as shown at 6 in Fig. 1, the opposite side being also split for a portion of its length, as shown at 7 in Fig. 3, this latter split being essentially desirable in forming the device from a sheet or strip of stamped metal.

My newly-invented knob or end piece comprises a main central body or knob 6, spher ical in form and of a sufficient size to receive a good-sized knot tied upon the end of the line to which it is attached. From the upper portion of this knob projects an integral tubular extension '7, which is of a diameter sufficient to approximately closely fit the line or lace. From the lower portion of the knob projects an integral end or flange 8, which,

from the pointof junction with the knob, proj ects outwardly or flares in conical form. The base of this end or flare 8 is convoluted or fluted, as shown at S.

In the operation of the invention the cord, line, or lace is passed through the device, so that the end thereof projects beyond the base of the end or flange 8. This end is then tied into a knot 9 of a sufficient size to be selfpreventive of being pulled through the tubular extension 7 when ultimately seated within the knob 6. The line or lace is then pulled so as to draw the knot 9 through the conical end 8 into the knob 6. This is not diflicult and can readily be done even though the knot is necessarily larger than the opening of the knob 6 at its junction with the end of the flange S. Particularly in the form of device I have shown inthe drawings this seating of the knot can be easily effected without perceptibly compressing or loosening the same, since the splitting of the device at 6 and 7 naturally has a tendency to make the end 8 yield as much as the knot itself would yield under the pull of seating the same in position. Thus the knot passes into the knob,-where it remains, being substantially unable to pass through the tubular extension 7 when PUU'.

remove the device from the line either for the purpose of shortening the line or placing the knot higher up thereon or else transferring it to another cord, line, or lace, the knot can be first taken out of the knob by pulling on the end piece, whereupon said knot can be untied or cut off and the device removed.

In grasping the device for the purpose of pulling upon the line the knob 6 is grasped by the hand, or in the case of small lines by two of the fingers, which naturally place themselves immediately above the knob, as is the habit in grasping any knob in the various uses thereof. If the hands or fingers encircle the under portion of the knob, they will abut against the conical end S,'which will afford an added hold, or if only the top of the knob is seized and in pulling the line or lace the strain or reaction thereof causes the fingers or hands to slip and the knob to pass through thesame the conical or flared end 8 will prevent the entire device from slipping through the fingers and will insure that a sufficient hold is maintained upon the line until a more complete graspisobtainable, Inthisconnection the convolutions of the conical end also strengthen the same against a tendency to yield inwardly or to be crushed by the fingers, while they also invariably serve to maintain the integrity of the conical end, besides adding that ornamental appearance to the device which is necessary and desirable.

It will be understood that in referring to the upper and lower portions of the knob I mean those which have that position when the device is employed upon a vertical line and which are in other connections respectively nearer the fixed end of the line and the free end of the line.

,My invention is not limited to the exact construction or shape herein shown and described, but only to the essential elements constituted by the several portions of the device shown in the drawings which are requisite for producingbthe advantages and objects of my invention, and I reserve the right to make any alterations therein which may fairly come within the scope of the invention.

Having fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A knob or end piece for laces, cords, and lines, comprising a hollow body formed into a central knob adapted to receive a knot tied in theline, a tubular extension projecting upwardly-from said knob to surround the line, and a conical end upon the lower side of the knob, the apex of which communicates with the interior of said knob and flares downwardly therefrom. r

2. A knob or end piece for lines, cords, and laces, comprising a hollow body formed into a central spherical knob adapted to receive a knot tied in the line, and provided at one end with a tubular extension upon the top thereof to surround the line above said knot, and provided at its opposite side with a larger conical end, the base of which is directed outwardly, and is convoluted or fluted.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name, in presence of the subscribing witnesses, this 13th day of April, 1898.

BASIL JOHN FISHER. 

